The Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Churches in Australia (SCCOCA) was an organisation founded in 1979 under the leadership of ArchbishopStylianos (Harkianakis) of Australia and intended to help cooperation among the Orthodox jurisdictions in Australia, under the permanent chairmanship of the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Membership-related Events

According to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, the acceptance of schismatic Romanian communities run by defrocked priests has forced SCCOCA to exclude the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand from membership until said actions are reversed.citation needed

According to the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand, SCCOCA's complete inactivity between early 1999 and early 2006, (except for a letter from Bp Seraphim in March 2000), justifies its view of SCCOCA as being dead. Consequently, it is impossible to be excluded from a non-existent organisation.[1]

It should be noted that the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese also denies that any Romanian communities were schismatic or run by defrocked priests within its jurisdiction. Instead its Romanian priest was released with the personal permission and blessing of Patriarch Teoctist. This priest subsequently established a worship community which has always been within "the gentle care and loving guidance" of Antioch.[2]

Regarding the Romanian Orthodox Church

Some Romanian communities looked to the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Australia for episcopal support, but others look to other bishops within Australia for episcopal assistance. The Romanian Patriarchate has never delegated responsibility for any of its Romanian flock in Australia to any bishop, but has simply asked some to kindly provide episcopal assistance when invited.

Although Fr Gabriel Popescu was present at the foundation of SCCOCA, the Romanian Orthodox Church was never an actual member of SCCOCA since, according to Patriarch Teoctist, the Romanian Patriarchate never sanctioned this move.

Current Events

According to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, SCCOCA member churches concelebrated on the Vespers of Orthodoxy and Thomas Sunday.

Consistent with its earlier stated view, the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand says there cannot be current events in an organisation that "is dead" (Metropolitan Archbishop Paul).

Future Events

The Antiochian Archdiocese looks forward to the time when God wills for a cooperative meeting of all the Eastern Orthodox jurisdictions in Australia. Metropolitan Archbishop Paul prays for a gathering devoted to the stability and good relations between all the jurisdictions present in Australia, with a view to working harmoniously and in good faith towards that point when "they all may be one, as You Father and I are one" (Jn 17:21). Until that time comes, the primate and members of the Antiochian Archdiocese continue to pray for the unity of witness, worship, and loving kindness, which should be found in all true-believing churches throughout the world.